Dale Frances Bozzio (née Consalvi; born March 2, 1955) is an American rock and popvocalist. She is best known as co-founder and lead singer of the '80s new wave band Missing Persons and for her work with Frank Zappa. While with Zappa, she performed significant roles in two of his major works, Joe's Garage (1979) and Thing-Fish (1984). Bozzio has released four solo albums and one EP.
She co-founded Missing Persons in 1980 with former Zappa musicians Warren Cuccurullo and Terry Bozzio (her husband from 1979 to 1986). In addition to being the band's lead vocalist, she also contributed lyrics. Missing Persons released one EP and six albums, including Spring Session M (1982), which achieved gold record status.[2]
After Missing Persons disbanded in 1986, Bozzio was signed to Prince's Paisley Park label which released her first solo album, Riot in English (1988). Bozzio later reformed Missing Persons and continues to perform the band's repertoire at venues across the United States. She also occasionally performs in reunions of the original band and continues her work as a solo artist. In 2014, Bozzio signed to Cleopatra Records and released a new studio album titled Missing in Action.[3] During the summer of 2014, she signed with GRA Records for a new album to be produced by Stephan DeReine.
Early life
Bozzio was born Dale Frances Consalvi in Medford, Massachusetts. From the age of 16, she studied drama at Emerson College and worked as a Bunny at the Playboy Club in Boston.[4] She was named Boston Playboy Club Bunny of the Year in 1975.[5]
In 1976, Bozzio traveled to Playboy Mansion West in Los Angeles at the request of Hugh Hefner, to interview for a position as a Valentine party hostess.[6]: 07:35 The opportunity provided for both a continuing relationship with Playboy and for living arrangements in Los Angeles, from which she could pursue an acting career.[4][5] Bozzio rejected the offer, and shortly after, met and gained employment with Frank Zappa.[6]: 07:20
Bozzio posed nude for Hustler, being featured in an edition published in February 1985.[7]
With Frank Zappa
Zappa hired Bozzio to voice the part of Mary in his rock opera Joe's Garage (1979) which was under development at the time.[6]: 08:03 In that role she sang about issues such as the Roman Catholic Church, sexuality, and the culture of rock bands.[8]: 152–155 In "Packard Goose", Bozzio, again as the voice of Mary, gave a brief monologue concerning how information, knowledge, wisdom, truth, beauty, love, and music relate to each other, with music as the best.[8]: 159
Bozzio's voice can also be heard in the 1979 film Baby Snakes and in the single "I Don't Wanna Get Drafted" (1980), a criticism of the U.S. military draft policy at that time. "I Don't Wanna Get Drafted" was also included on the album The Lost Episodes (1996).[9]
In 1984, Bozzio was cast in Zappa's musical, Thing-Fish. In voicing the part of Rhonda, she played opposite her real-life husband at the time, Terry Bozzio, who voiced the character Harry, Rhonda's husband. In Thing-Fish, Bozzio articulated some of the album's topics such as feminism, female sexuality, young urban professionals, and the state of Broadway musical theater.[8]: 188–194
In November 1991, participating along with other alumni in Zappa's fiftieth birthday tribute concert, Zappa's Universe, Dale revised the words in her recitation of her lines in "Packard Goose" to, "Music...and Frank Zappa...are the best."[10]
Bozzio, along with Zappa touring guitarist Warren Cuccurullo and Terry Bozzio who had been one of Zappa's drummers, founded Missing Persons in 1980. Missing Persons had multiple hits during the first half of the 1980s and disbanded in 1986, shortly after the release of their third album titled Color in Your Life (1986).
Bozzio continued to record and perform after the breakup of the original Missing Persons band. During the early 1990s, she toured with her own group using the band name and performing Missing Persons songs.[11] In June 2005, Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio appeared on week five of the NBC show Hit Me Baby One More Time.[12]
Dale and Missing Persons were referenced in season 2 of the CW TV network show iZombie in 2015. A recurring character played by Jessica Harmon is FBI agent Dale Bozzio, who works on missing persons cases.[13]
Missing Persons released their fist album of completely original material in 37 years, Hollywood Lie, on November 10, 2023.[14]
In 2020, she released her second solo album as Missing Persons titled Dreaming. It contains mostly covers of some classic rock / pop songs from 1960s, 1970s and 1980s decades.[20]
Influences and influence upon other artists
Bozzio was influenced by black and white film era stars including Jean Harlow and Marlene Dietrich.[6]: 06:21 She was also influenced by Judy Garland, and Frank Zappa.[6]: 11:57 For her work with Missing Persons, Bozzio drew inspiration from the screen images of black and white era actresses; however, she incorporated color into her presentation.[6]: 07:02
Her influence was behind Gelvin Guitars SSM guitar they made specifically for her with a Spring Session M theme to it.[21][22]
Personal life
During her work with Zappa, she met drummer Terry Bozzio in 1976. They married in 1979 after Terry had become a member of the band U.K. They divorced in 1986 with Dale retaining her married name. She has two children from her marriage to Richard McKenzie.[23][24]
^ abTreacy, Christopher John (January 5, 2007). "Missing Persons Finds New Life". The Boston Herald. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2013.(subscription required)
